• 5 Fantastic Tips for Spousal Caregivers and How to Take Care of Yourself

    5 Fantastic Tips for Spousal Caregivers and How to Take Care of Yourself

Caregiving is no easy task and can be especially hard for spousal caregivers as there are no breaks from it. Being a caregiver for someone can be emotionally exhausting. However, handling the stress is particularly difficult, especially for spousal caregivers whose partners have a significant chronic medical condition to tend to. That is why it is so important for you to take care of yourself when caring for another person.

Spousal Caregivers

Complications of Caring for Your Spouse

When caring for your spouse, there are several complications you will likely encounter.

Emotional Complications

There are many emotional complications of caring for a spouse. So much so, that many spousal caregivers suffer from depression. Your spouse may no longer have the ability to relate to you or be capable of engaging in conversation. This leaves spousal caregivers feeling as though they’ve already lost their partner. Oftentimes, caregivers feel as though they are caring for a stranger, especially after a diagnosis of dementia. 

While you may feel guilty for having these emotions, they are completely normal. It may be scary to think of talking about these feelings, a support group may offer the chance to feel understood in an emotionally supportive environment.

Physical Complications

Emotional strain has an undeniable impact on physical well-being. Excess stress leads to poor sleep, increased blood pressure, headaches, weight gain or loss, and many other symptoms. Aside from these effects, caring for a spouse can be physically challenging on its own. Imagine helping your spouse move around your home while being mindful of your own physical condition. This can be especially true after discharge from skilled nursing.

It may be helpful to seek assistance from a home care agency, physically able friends and family, or devices like motorized wheelchairs can help reduce the strain on your own physical condition.

5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself While Caring for Another

Listen to Music

Listening to music can be therapeutic for many reasons. Music has been used to:

  • Improve respiration
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improve cardiac output
  • Reduce heart rate
  • Relax muscle tension

If you feel yourself getting stressed, try popping on some headphones and relaxing with your favorite tunes for a moment.

Take a Walk

Movement is sometimes the best medicine. Regularly walking can help:

  • Maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat
  • Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes
  • Improve cardiovascular fitness
  • Strengthen your bones and muscles
  • Improve muscle endurance
  • Increase energy levels
  • Improve your mood, cognition, memory and sleep
  • Improve your balance and coordination
  • Strengthen immune system
  • Reduce stress and tension

If the situation is becoming too much for you to handle, try taking a walk.

Talk to a Friend or Family Member Daily

You may never feel like you have time for a phone call, however, try to make a quick one to someone who cares about you regularly. The benefits of talking to someone daily are:

  • Diminished feelings of isolation
  • Lower anxiety
  • Feeling encouraged and more capable

If you are feeling alone in your situation, try picking up the phone and chatting with a friend. Don’t forget, the same goes for your spouse.

Do Something You Like Together

This can be anything from listening to music, watching movies, or playing a game. Just as long as you both enjoy it, it comes with some positive benefits:

  • Feeling connected to your spouse
  • Improved mental health
  • Self-esteem boost
  • Reduced stress

So, next time you are feeling a little disconnected, try doing something fun with your spouse.

Do Something You Enjoy Alone

It’s great being able to connect with other people, but one of the hardships of caring for a spouse is having no you-time. Some of the benefits of doing what you enjoy alone are:

  • Improved concentration
  • Boost in creativity
  • Being more productive
  • Feeling more empathetic

So, next time you think you need a little alone time, take it. 

The most important thing when caring for your spouse is to remember to take care of yourself. It’s easy to forget all the stress and responsibility of taking care of your spouse, but keep in mind that you need care too. Lest you succumb to caregiver burnout

Don’t let the future catch you off guard and start planning today with this FREE eBook, Plan the Future for You and Your Spouse’s Long-Term Care.

Confident Living is a continuing care at home membership program, focused on helping you remain active and independent as you age in your own home. We serve the greater Cincinnati area. For more information, contact us online or call (513) 719-3522.